Groningen went into the clash still rooted to the bottom of the Eredivisie but Heerenveen have been in rocky form recently. Jan Olde Riekerink decided to make changes to his defence with Rodney Kongolo starting in the centre alongside Dave Bulthuis, while Kik Pierie was shifted to left-back.

The hosts were the better side from the start and they eventually took a deserved lead in the 27th minute when Django Warmerdam headed Mimoun Mahi’s cross past Warner Hahn. Ritsu Doan then made it 2-0 ten minutes later with an excellent curling strike into the top corner from twenty metres.

Groningen could have added more goals but Mahi hit the post while Hahn had to make an excellent save to deny Doan. Heerenveen failed to mount a comeback in the second half with an Arber Zeneli strike off the woodwork late on the closest they came.

The three points lifts Groningen up to 16th while Heerenveen are ninth.